TEXAS NEWS
How teaching middle school in one of Texas’ poorest neighborhoods spurred James Talarico’s U.S. Senate bid
Read full article: How teaching middle school in one of Texas’ poorest neighborhoods spurred James Talarico’s U.S. Senate bidTalarico’s two years as a public school teacher is central to his Democratic Senate campaign after shaping his policy goals and driving his political rise through the Texas House.
Greg Abbott enters 2026 Texas governor’s race with staggering $106 million on hand
Read full article: Greg Abbott enters 2026 Texas governor’s race with staggering $106 million on handAbbott raised almost $23 million from July through December, while his leading Democratic challenger, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, brought in $1.3 million in the last 10 weeks of 2025.
Texas A&M abruptly cancels ethics course over race, gender policy
Read full article: Texas A&M abruptly cancels ethics course over race, gender policyThe university said content of the graduate course, which was already underway, was not adequately disclosed, forcing the cancellation. The professor disagrees.
Bench warrant issued for Houston NCAA forward in nationwide point-shaving case
Read full article: Bench warrant issued for Houston NCAA forward in nationwide point-shaving caseA bench warrant has been issued for a Texas Southern University basketball player after federal prosecutors accused him of helping fix college games as part of a sprawling gambling operation.
New Texas poll finds Talarico leading Crockett by 9 points in Senate Democratic primary
Read full article: New Texas poll finds Talarico leading Crockett by 9 points in Senate Democratic primaryTexas’ Senate Republican primary, meanwhile, looks headed for a runoff. The survey found U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in a dead heat against Attorney General Ken Paxton, with neither eclipsing 30%.
In South Texas, local Republicans push for more wins as Latinos appear to sour on Trump
Read full article: In South Texas, local Republicans push for more wins as Latinos appear to sour on TrumpEven as Trump's approval ratings fall with Latinos, a constellation of grassroots Republicans are working to secure wins in the midterms.
Texas House Democrats raised record-breaking $2.2 million in 2025
Read full article: Texas House Democrats raised record-breaking $2.2 million in 2025The majority of the Democratic caucus’ haul came when the party broke quorum over the summer to delay the GOP-controlled Legislature from redrawing the state’s congressional map.
Jasmine Crockett’s pastor, Frederick Haynes III, sees Congress as stage to pursue social justice
Read full article: Jasmine Crockett’s pastor, Frederick Haynes III, sees Congress as stage to pursue social justiceHaynes staked out several progressive policy positions at his recent campaign launch event, including support for Medicare for All and dismantling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Celina football coach retires after district clears him of cover-up allegations amid son’s sex abuse scandal
Read full article: Celina football coach retires after district clears him of cover-up allegations amid son’s sex abuse scandalBill Elliott was placed on administrative leave in October after his son Caleb, a football coach at Celina’s middle school, was accused of secretly filming boys in the school’s locker room and possessing child pornography.
‘Bring the hammer down’: Texas AG Paxton claims recovery of $125M, over 120 arrests in 2025 healthcare fraud busts
Read full article: ‘Bring the hammer down’: Texas AG Paxton claims recovery of $125M, over 120 arrests in 2025 healthcare fraud bustsAttorney General Ken Paxton’s office recovered $125 million and made 123 arrests in 2025 cracking down on healthcare fraud.
Rising Houston property taxes? Here’s how homeowners can defer payments
Read full article: Rising Houston property taxes? Here’s how homeowners can defer paymentsRising property taxes got you worried? Houston homeowners may be able to delay part of their bill with a tax deferral from the Harris Central Appraisal District. The program lets you pay taxes on last year’s value plus any new improvements, while postponing the rest — but interest still applies.
What to know about the Uvalde school shooting trial during its second week
Read full article: What to know about the Uvalde school shooting trial during its second weekThe trial of a Texas police officer charged in the halting law enforcement response to the 2022 attack on Robb Elementary in Uvalde is heading into its second week.
Texts among Kerr County officials show confusion about missing campers during July 4 floods
Read full article: Texts among Kerr County officials show confusion about missing campers during July 4 floodsHundreds of newly released messages add more detail to the devastating timeline of the deadly floods.
Were your Texas college courses reviewed or changed this semester? Tell us.
Read full article: Were your Texas college courses reviewed or changed this semester? Tell us.Amid new policies restricting instruction on race, gender and sexuality, The Texas Tribune seeks examples of college course changes from students and instructors.
More Texans have signed up for ACA health coverage despite expiring subsidies and falling national enrollment
Read full article: More Texans have signed up for ACA health coverage despite expiring subsidies and falling national enrollmentThe Jan. 3 snapshot, though incomplete, indicates a stabler marketplace and less coverage loss than many experts and insurers feared.
Several major Texas death row appeals loom in 2026 amid drop in executions
Read full article: Several major Texas death row appeals loom in 2026 amid drop in executionsAmong the cases that are headed back to court is that of Robert Roberson, who argues he was wrongfully convicted of killing his daughter based on now-debunked science.
What you need to know before voting in Texas’ March 3 primary elections
Read full article: What you need to know before voting in Texas’ March 3 primary electionsOur detailed guide shows what will be on the ballot, mail-in voting information, voter registration requirements, important dates to know and much more.
No more driving to Houston: Baytown’s new events center will host concerts and sports
Read full article: No more driving to Houston: Baytown’s new events center will host concerts and sportsBaytown is officially moving forward with the ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center, a new multi-purpose venue designed to bring concerts, sports tournaments, and community events closer to home. The City Council on Jan 8 approved Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture to lead the design of the project.
200 immigration and border security cases filed during first week of 2026
Read full article: 200 immigration and border security cases filed during first week of 2026Houston’s Southern District filed 200 immigration and border security cases in the first week of 2026, targeting illegal entry, felony reentry, and human smuggling.
After killing planned desalination plant, Corpus Christi tries to drill its way out of a water crisis
Read full article: After killing planned desalination plant, Corpus Christi tries to drill its way out of a water crisisAfter an industrial building boom on Corpus Christi Bay, the city is drilling wells to meet water demand, and rural Nueces County residents say their own wells are being impacted.
A blossoming Texas medical marijuana industry adds new businesses, products and patients
Read full article: A blossoming Texas medical marijuana industry adds new businesses, products and patientsThe Texas Department of Public Safety has issued provisional licenses to nine new medical marijuana operators while existing ones have started opening new manufacturing and cultivating facilities.
Texas proposes 13,000% licensing fee hike on retailers who sell hemp-derived THC
Read full article: Texas proposes 13,000% licensing fee hike on retailers who sell hemp-derived THCHemp advocates say raising annual licensing fees for retailers from $150 to $20,000 and for manufacturers from $250 to $25,000 would shutter small businesses.
In border visit, John Cornyn resists calls to expand visas for foreign workers
Read full article: In border visit, John Cornyn resists calls to expand visas for foreign workersThe Republican U.S. senator praised Trump’s border initiatives and said fully securing the border should take priority over changing immigration law.
Texas students can win up to $300 for writing a letter about a story that changed them 📝💵
Read full article: Texas students can win up to $300 for writing a letter about a story that changed them 📝💵Texas students in grades 4–12 can win cash prizes by writing a letter about how a book changed their life.
New Crest kids toothpaste packaging rolls out under agreement with Texas AG
Read full article: New Crest kids toothpaste packaging rolls out under agreement with Texas AGTexas AG Ken Paxton says Crest maker Procter & Gamble will update kids toothpaste packaging to better show the recommended amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Texas hands over complete list of registered voters to Trump administration
Read full article: Texas hands over complete list of registered voters to Trump administrationThe Justice Department has asked states for their voter rolls with an eye toward purging ineligible voters. Democrats say sharing the data could violate federal election law.
Texas, facing doctor shortage, eases path for foreign-trained physicians
Read full article: Texas, facing doctor shortage, eases path for foreign-trained physiciansTexas joins 17 other states that are making it easier for foreign medical graduates to work as doctors here. About a quarter of the state’s licensed doctors were trained outside the U.S.
Dallas and Williamson counties end countywide voting sites for primary election day
Read full article: Dallas and Williamson counties end countywide voting sites for primary election dayDallas and Williamson county Republicans are shifting away from using countywide voting sites on Election Day for Texas’ March 3 primary. Democrats will have to fall in line.
Texas GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz joins Democrats in vote to pass three-year ACA subsidy extension
Read full article: Texas GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz joins Democrats in vote to pass three-year ACA subsidy extensionEdinburg Rep. Monica De La Cruz was the only Texas Republican to break with her party and vote with all Democrats and a handful of Republicans on a key healthcare bill.
Panhandle history museum scrambles to protect 2 million artifacts as it fights permanent closure
Read full article: Panhandle history museum scrambles to protect 2 million artifacts as it fights permanent closureWith a steep price tag, saving the landmark museum won’t be easy, but area residents and leaders are looking for solutions.